Do you remember Expo.02?
In summer 2002, a grandiose project brought all of Switzerland together: the national exhibition, Expo.02. While the youngest children remember their school trip to the cloud of Yverdon, the older ones recall with nostalgia the festive evenings on the Jeunes Rives in Neuchâtel. Here is a stroll full of memories and emotions of the various Expo.02 arteplages.
Me and the universe
The firmly artistic pavilions of Yverdon-les-Bains invited visitors to reflect on sensations and emotions. 31,140 nozzles and 80 pumps were needed to create a genuine floating cloud above the lake, which became iconic!
Nature and artifice
Robots and artificial intelligence were already topical in 2002. In Neuchâtel, exhibitions and events presented the latest technology developments to the public. After these serious themes, visitors could enjoy the warm summer evenings by the lake.
Power and freedom
The very Swiss themes of money and banks were addressed on Biel's arteplage. Artist Ben's provocative introduction (a machine turining CHF 100 banknotes into confettis!) didn't fail to raise questions among spectators. The younger ones probably remember the ride in a giant shopping trolley...
Instant and eternity
Architect Jean Nouvel's monolith off the coast of Murten immediately piqued the public's curiosity. Inside, they discovered a huge fresco depicting the famous battle of Murten.
Sense and motion
Sometimes called "the Jura barge" or "the pirate ship", the Jura arteplage linked the four host cities of Expo.02. Shows mixing mischief and irony were presented on board.
SOURCES
- Association des Anciens d'Expo.02
- Eichenberger, I. (2009). Expo.02, cela vous dit quelque chose? SwissInfo
- Jubin, S. (2002). Pour être pris au sérieux à Expo.02, l'arteplage mobile du Jura jouera l'ironie et l'impertinence. Le Temps
- Rezzonico, M. (2022). L'exposition nationale Expo.02, euphorie éphémère. RTS Archives